Eccentric exercise training device

ABSTRACT

The eccentric exercise training device includes a housing that supports a floating platform and encapsulates a motor and mechanisms for driving the platform. The platform is positioned to allow easy access. An oval-configured handrail partially surrounds the platform and is provided with multiple user positions, which are each equipped with operational controls. The floating platform tilts in movements that mimic the eccentric muscle movements encountered when skiing, landing from a jump or run, walking down stairs, etc. The platform is provided with markings to assist in locating a user&#39;s preferred, most comfortable stance. A centrally positioned display panel includes user-friendly programming and LCD readouts, and such electronic adjuncts as WiFi and USB ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to exercise devices, and particularly to an eccentric exercise training device that provides eccentric functional training, particularly conditioning of the core and legs, for a wide variety of sports and activities, including skiing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conditioning and training muscle groups for a particular athletic endeavor is often difficult to achieve without actually performing the particular athletic endeavor. This is especially true when attempting to duplicate the complex muscle movements required in any sport or activity such as alpine mogul skiing. To condition muscles and joints to withstand the dynamic forces due to speed, directional changes, terrain changes and the like, when engaging in sports or activities, would normally require many repetitions utilizing a dozen or more conventional exercise devices. The industry would certainly welcome a single exercise device that would effectively and efficiently simulate the dynamic forces that an individual might encounter when participating in virtually any sport or activity that involves deceleration, such as landing from a jump or run, squatting in an athletic ready position, or even walking down stairs. Thus, an eccentric exercise training device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The eccentric exercise training device has a motor and platform drive apparatus that are located to the front of the device to allow a reduction in the step-up height to ascend onto the platform. The step-up height reduction ensures that users of all heights/leg lengths, age, conditioning levels and those recovering from injury and/or surgery will have easy access onto the platform. An oval-configured handrail partially surrounds the platform and is provided with multiple user positions, which are each equipped with operational controls. This arrangement permits the user to operate the controls from right or left stances without turning to access a central control panel. The platform is provided with markings to assist in locating a user's preferred, most comfortable feet positions. The central display panel is updated to include user-friendly programming and LCD readouts, and to incorporate such electronic adjuncts such as WiFi and USB ports.

Accordingly, the invention presents an exercise device that simulates the eccentric muscle movements associated with sports and activities ranging from skiing to walking down stairs. The device is easy to use, technically advanced, and aesthetically pleasing. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an eccentric exercise training device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an eccentric exercise training device of the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an eccentric exercise training device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the eccentric exercise training device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the eccentric exercise training device of Fig, 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an internal portion of an eccentric exercise training device according to the present invention, showing the position of the crank shaft mechanisms when the platform is at its lowest point.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The eccentric exercise training device is a further development of Applicant's prior Mogul Skiing Simulating Device, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,746, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The '746 device is shown in FIG. 2. In the '746 device, the motor and drive mechanisms for the platform P are generally indicated at M, and are positioned and exposed adjacent the side of and beneath the platform of the exercise and simulation device.

The present eccentric exercise training device is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-6, and is generally indicated at 10. The device 10 includes a housing H having a platform 12 mounted thereto. Platform 12 is a floating platform that tilts in movements that mimic the eccentric muscle movements encountered when skiing, landing from a jump or run, squatting, walking down stairs, etc. The motor and drive mechanisms for moving platform 12 are substantially the same as disclosed in the '746 device, but the motor has been relocated to the front end 14 of the device and encapsulated within the housing H to improve safety and enhance aesthetics.

A handrail 16 is mounted on the device 10 at a convenient height for grasping by a user U when necessary to ensure safety during an exercise routine. The handrail 16 is configured in a U-shaped, aerodynamic configuration having a forward portion and an open rear. A control pad and display panel 18 is mounted on the central forward portion of the handrail 16. The control pad and display panel 18 incorporates therein electronic adjuncts such as LCD readouts, WiFi and USB ports Respective handrail support posts 20 and 22 are mounted on the left and the right sides of the device. Control pads 20 a and 22 a are disposed at respective upper ends of the support posts 20 and 22. Each control pad 20 a and 22 a permits the user to control platform movement, as desired. This arrangement allows the user the flexibility to change stance (forward, right or left). Since a control pad 20 a or 22 a is disposed at each right or left stance, the user does not have to turn to adjust controls. Markings 24 are inscribed on the surface of the platform to indicate proper feet placement for various desired stances.

FIG. 6 shows the relative positions of the internal drive mechanisms D when the platform 12 (not shown in this view) is positioned at its lowest point. It has been determined that the optimum low point position is approximately 12 inches above the floor or support surface. This compares with low point position of 17.5 inches in the '746 device. As noted above, movement of the motor from beneath the platform to a position in front of the platform will permit the platform to attain the stated optimum low point positioning to enhance access to the platform.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An eccentric exercise training device, comprising: a housing having a front end; a floating platform mounted to the housing for eccentric movement thereon; a motor and drive assembly for driving the floating platform, the motor and drive assembly being disposed at the front end of the housing; a handrail mounted to the housing and partially surrounding the platform; and a plurality of control pads for controlling movement of the platform, the control pads being mounted on the handrail.
 2. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 1, wherein said handrail is formed in a U-shaped, aerodynamic configuration having a closed forward end and an open rear end.
 3. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 1, wherein said handrail has a central forward area, a left side area and a right side area, each of the areas having a corresponding one of the control pads mounted therein.
 4. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 1, wherein said motor and drive assembly is enclosed in said housing.
 5. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 1, wherein said platform has an upper surface, the training device further comprising indicia disposed on the upper surface to indicate proper foot placement for a user.
 6. An eccentric exercise training device, comprising: a housing having a front end; a floating platform mounted to the housing for eccentric movement thereon; a motor and drive assembly for driving the floating platform, the motor and drive assembly being enclosed in the housing and disposed at the front end of the housing; a handrail mounted to the housing and partially surrounding the platform, the handrail being formed in a U-shaped, aerodynamic configuration and having a closed forward end and an open rear end; and a plurality of control pads for controlling movement of the platform, the control pads being mounted on the handrail.
 7. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 6, wherein said handrail has a central forward area, a left side area and a right side area, each of the areas having a corresponding one of the control pads mounted therein.
 8. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 7, wherein the control pad disposed in the central forward area includes a display panel.
 9. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 6, wherein said platform has an upper surface, the training device further comprising indicia disposed on the upper surface to indicate proper foot placement for a user.
 10. An eccentric exercise training device, comprising: a housing having a front end; a floating platform mounted to the housing for eccentric movement thereon, the platform having an upper surface and indicia disposed on the upper surface to indicate proper foot placement for a user; a motor and drive assembly for driving the floating platform, the motor and drive assembly being encapsulated in the housing and disposed at the front end of the housing; a handrail mounted to the housing and partially surrounding the platform, the handrail being formed in a U-shaped, aerodynamic configuration and having a closed forward end, an open rear end, a central forward area, a left side area and a right side area; and a respective control pad disposed in each of the handrail areas for controlling movement of the platform, the control pads being mounted on the handrail.
 11. The eccentric exercise training device according to claim 10 wherein the control pad disposed in the central forward area includes a display panel. 